CARSON, Calif. -- The LA Galaxy are through to the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals for the first time in club history and waiting for them is two-time defending CCL champion Monterrey.
Los Rayados (the pinstripes) may currently be in 7th place in the 2013 Clausura, but they pose a major test for the Galaxy with their full assortment of stars including Chilean forward Humberto Suazo as well as Mexican Internationals Sevro Meza and Jesus Zavala, among others. Monterrey has been particularly skilled in the CCL as they knocked off Real Salt Lake in the 2011 final and then Santos Laguna in 2012.
As Galaxy's focus turns to the Mexican giants, their success is not lost on head coach Bruce Arena.
"Monterrey has been the best club team in our region for a number of years now," said They’re the best team, they’re the team to beat, so it’s going to be a very big challenge for our club."
But perhaps, Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant put it best by stating that the match is not only important for the Galaxy, but for MLS as a whole.
"It’s exciting, it’s something that the league is looking to get over the hump with México and Seattle did a great job of winning their last series [against Tigres]. It’s the first time that ever happened so we want to continue that," said Dunivant. “This is big for our league. We really want to continue to push the envelope and win our region then start being the dominating force in this region."
